Ebola Scare Grows in Israel as Second Suspected Case Emerges One Day After the First

Israel's Health Ministry announced Sunday morning that a second person is suspected of carrying Ebola, just one day after the country's first suspected case emerged.

The individual returned to Israel two days ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo and sought medical treatment after developing fever, headache, and diarrhea. They are currently being treated in isolation at Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer), one of the designated facilities for high-risk infectious disease cases.

The Ministry stressed that at this stage the case remains a suspicion only, with laboratory tests now underway. Results are expected in the coming days.

An epidemiological investigation is now being conducted to identify relevant contacts and examine possible links between the two cases. The Ministry said that only individuals who are directly contacted by health authorities need to take action at this stage, anyone who does not receive a call is not required to do anything.

The Ministry reiterated that Ebola is not airborne, and that infection occurs only through direct contact with a symptomatic patient or with blood, bodily fluids, or secretions.

Israelis are urged to avoid non-essential travel to areas with active Ebola outbreaks, primarily the DRC and Uganda. Anyone who has returned from those areas and develops fever or other unusual symptoms within 21 days of return is asked to stay home, avoid contact with others, and call the Ministry's health hotline at *5400, noting their travel to an active Ebola zone.